Soap holder



Patented Apr. 1v1, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SOAP HOLDER Mordicha Margolith,Hawthorne, Calif.

Application August 3,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for handling soap,.or the like, andrelates more particularly t a. soap holder for handling soap in the formof a. bar or cake. A general object of the invention is to provide adevice or soap holder of the character mentioned that is particularlyeasy and convenient to use and that is effective and dependable inholding the soap.

Bar soap or cake soap as used in lavatories, washrooms and the like isusually contained 'in soap dishes or trays. Such soap dishes and traysare not entirely satisfactory, in that they do not allow the soap toproperly drain oi'f or dry. When the soap is not allowed to dry properlyit becomes soft and partially liquiiies. This makes the soap and thedish or tray carrying it very slippery and unsanitary. The soap in thiscondition is unpleasant and inconvenient to use and a large part of thesoap 20 is wasted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device thateffectively holds a bar or cake of soap in such a manner that its entiresurface is exposed to the air, so that the soap 25 quickly dries. Thedevice in allowing the soap to properly and quickly dry makes the soappleasant and clean to handle and provides for economy in its use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a soap holder of thecharacter mentioned that eifectively supports a cake of soap in aposition that permits the user to remove or insert the soap withoutcoming into contact with the soap holder.

A further object of the present invention is to providea device of thecharacter mentioned that dependably holds a cake of soap in such amanner that the soap is free to be grasped andtli'en lifted, whichreleases the engagement of the holder with the soap, allowing its readyremoval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide asoap holder thatdoes not require careful placing of the cake of soap, as the soap holderwill dependably grip and retain the cake of soap regardless of theparticular points on the cake of soap engaged or gripped by the holder.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a soap holder ofthe character mentioned that will effectively hold cakes of soap ofvarious sizes and shapes, thus giving the soap holder an unlimited rangeof effectiveness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of thecharacter mentioned that is small and compact, requiring a minimum 1936,Serial N0. 94,105

amount of space and that is inconspicuous and sightly in appearance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that isconstructed of but few small sturdy parts which makes it very simple 5and inexpensive of manufacture.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of my invention, throughout 10 whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device or soap holder provided bythis invention illustrating it carrying a cake of soap. Fig. 2 is a topor plan 15 elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a side or end elevation ofthe device. Fig. 4 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken asindicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an-enlarged fragmentaryvertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig.4.

The improved soap holder of my invention includes, generally, a bracketor body I0, gripping members or elements II carried by the body I0 andadapted to receive a cake of soap S, and 25 means I2 for controllingmovement of the gripping elements II.

The bracket or body III may be varied considerably in shape and formwithout departing from broader aspects` of the invention. The body I0 30illustrated in the drawing is a simple, one piece stamping or memberthat is subsequently rectangular in front elevation. 'Ihe body III has amain portion or outer face portion I5 which may lie in a substantiallyvertical plane and inwardly projecting upper and lower flanges I6,integrally joined to the outer face portion I5. 'Ihe flanges I6 may bein planes substantially normal to the plane of the portion I5. A strapor plate I'I is received between the flanges I6. 40 The plate I1 may besecured to the iianges I6 in any suitable manner. For example, it may bewelded or soldered to the ilanges I6. The plate I1 received between theiianges I6, as illustrated, provides a space in the body for housing themeans I2 and various parts of the device to be hereinafter described.The plate I'I has lugs or ears I8 projecting from the opposite ends ofthe body. The ears I8 provide means for mounting the device on asuitable support. To simplify the construction the .ears I8 arepreferably'integral continuations of the plate II. The ears I8 may beattached to a suitable support, such as a Wall, post, panel, or thelike, to render the device convenient and readily accessible for similarin shape and connguration and are paired or complementary. The elementsIl may be formed from round stock and are substantially Lachaped intheir general coniiguration each having branches 28 and 22. Thebranehes28 ofthe elements I i project mitwardly fromtho face portion Il of thebody I8 adjacent its opposite ends)` 'nie branches 28 of the elements Ilare pivotably carriedin openingsli intheface portion Il of the body andproject outwardly a substantial distance before joining the branches 22.'Ihe outer branches 22 of the elements il have their longitudinal axessubstantially normal to the longitudinal axes of the branches 28 andnormally project upwardly and toward one another, as best illustrated inFig. 1 of the drawing,V The outer ends of the branches 22 are bevelled,as at 28, to form points or tips which are adapted to ei' fectively gripand hold the cake of soap S.

'Ihe invention provides means for supporting `the outer end portions ofthe branches 20. Outwardly projecting arms 22 are provided at theopposite ends of the body I 8 to assist in pivotably supporting theelements il. VThe armsl 23 are preferably formed integral with the bodyI0. In the drawing I have illustrated the arms 23 integral with the faceportion i8 of the body and bent at right angles to the portion i8 toproject outwardly from the ends of the body. The arms 28 may be parallelwith the branches 28 and have angular portions 24 at their outer ends.The angular portions 24 of the arms 22 are provided with openings 25 forpivotably receiving the branches 20 to aid in supporting the elementsii. 'I'he elements Il are shiftable from a normal positlon where theirtips 28 are adjacent one another, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of thedrawing, to a position where they are spaced -some distance apart, toallow the cake of soap S to be readily gripped by the tips of thebranches 22. When the elements Ii are in their fully opened or extendedpositions the branches 22 are related so that there is sumcientclearance between them to readily receive a cake of soap of the size orcharacter within the range that the device is intended to handle.

'Ihe means i2 for controlling the pivotal movement of the elements I iincludes arms 28 secured to the inner ends of the branches 20. The arms28 may be secured to the branches in any suitable manner. In the drawingI have illustrated the arms 28 pressed onto reduced portions on theinner ends of the branches 20. To insure rigid connections between thearms 28 and the elements ii the reduced portions of the branches 28 maybe hammered or peened over. The arms 28 are within the space in the bodyi0 andare adapted to freely shift or swing. The arms 28 project upwardlyand inwardly toward one another and are preferably longitudinally curvedas best illustrated in Fig. 4. Washers 21 may be provided on thebranches 28 to space the arms 28 from the body portion i8. The arms 28are pivotin theupper portion of one arm 28 and a headed pin 4i islecured to the other arm to operate in the slot. Awasher42 on thepin4imayretainthearms 28 in spaced relation.l The slot 48-is preferablylongitudinally curved to effect a more uniform motion of the arms 28. Itis believed that it will be apparent how the pin 4i operating in theslot 42 effects simultaneous pivoting o'f the arms 28 and elements Il. ll

'Ihe means I2 forcontrolling movement of the elements ii preferablyincludes a spring means for urging the branches 22 of the elements Ilinto gripping engagement with the cake of soap 8. In practice means maycomprise a singlespring 88. Thespring 28 maybeanysuitable type ofspring'. For example,

.leafsprinmhelicalsprinoralimplepieoeof spring wire as I haveillustrated inthe drawing. The spring 88 illustrated in the drawing isbowed or curved and has one endbearing against the upper ilange i8 andhas its `other end bearing on the upper edge of one of the arms 28. Acurved loop or part 44 may be provided onthe spring 28 to ride-orshii'tably bear on the upper edge of the arm 28. In the drawing I haveillustrated a preferred manner in which the spring may be effectivelyheld. A lug 82 is stamped out of the upper ange I8 of the body I8 andthe spring 38 is received and held. between the lug and the upper flangeI8 of the body I8 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 ofthe drawing.The spring 20 is bowed downwardly in a manner to effectively yieldinglyurge the anns 28 towards one another and, therefore, urge the soapengaging branches 22 toward one another.

The utility and practicability of the soap holder of my invention willbe readilyapparent from the foregoing detailed description. "Ihe soapholder embodies a minimum number of simple sturdy parts comprising onlyfour principal parts or units, namely the unitary bracket or body I8.the two gripping elements ii shiftably can-led by the body i0 and themeans i2 for yieldingly urg ing the elements into engagement with a cakeof soap or thelike. The body i8 may be formed or stamped out of a flatblank. making it very cheap and easy to manufacture. The grippingelements inbeing formed of common round stock can be easily bent intothe desired shape and at a nominal cost. It is believed that it will beunderstood that the improved soap holder of my invention can be mountedin any manner and in any place to be readily accessible to the user.

In operation, the user may pass the cake of' soap S upwardly between thegripping branches 22 to a position where the tips 28'L of the branchesengage the opposite sides of the soap. The user then releases his holdon the soap allowing the branches 22 to support and retain it. 'I'hespring 30 urges the branches 22 into gripping engagement with the cakeof soap S. 'I'he angular relationship of the branches 22 and the forceexerted by the spring 30 insure a positive hold on the cake of soap. Thebranches 22 projecting upwardly and inwardly tend to bite into the soapS and the principal function of the spring 88 is to yieldingly hold thebranches in cooperation with the cake of soap.

Regardless of the points at which the tips 28l of the gripping branches22 engage the sides oi the cake oi' soap S the soap may pivot or swingto have its center of gravity at or below the points of contact of thetips 28Il with the soap. 1|

l The outer branches 22 of the elements I I in being spaced outward fromthe body I0, and in having only point contact with the cake of soap,allow the free pivoting or swinging of the soap to locate itself withoutinterfering with the body. Thus the forces tending to rotate or pivotthe cake of soap are equalized. y

To remove the cake of soap S the user merel picks up the soap or liftsit from between the gripping-branches 22. When moved upwardly the cakeof soap freely passes out from between the gripping members H and theuser is not obliged to contact or engage the soap holder. The soapholder only contacts the soap at two points and, therefore, allows thesoap to properly dry after use. It also holds the cake of soap so thatit can be readily grasped for use. The cake of soap in being allowed toproperly dry does not become softened or slippery and is pleasant tograsp and easy to use.

Having described only a typical form and application of my invention, Ido not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form andapplication herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the artor fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described including a body, a pair ofL-shaped members carried by the body in spaced relation for pivotalmovement to each have one branch project from the body and to have theirother branches inclined upwardly and inwardly toward each other to gripa cake of soap passed between them, arms secured to the rst mentionedbranches, one arm having a curved slot, a pin on the other arm shiftablein the slot, and spring means acting on the arms to urge the secondmentioned branches against the soap.

I2.A device of the character described including a hollow body, a pairof L-shaped members supported by the body in spaced relation for pivotalmovement to each have one branch projecting from the body and to havetheir other branches inclined upwardly and inwardly toward each other toreceive a cake of soap passed upwardly between them, arms on the innerends of the first mentioned branches within the body, one arm having acurved slot, a pin on the other arm shiftable in the slot to e'ectsimultaneous movement of the members, for limiting their movement and aspring acting on the arms to yieldingly urge the members intocooperation with the cape of soap.

3.'A device oi' the character described including a body, and a pair ofspaced substantially L-shaped members formed of elongate rod-like stock,each member having one branch pivotally supported by the body with itspivotal axis normal to the outer face of the body, the other branches ofthe members being carried on the outer ends of the first mentionedbranches to be in spaced relation to the outer face of the body andconverging upwardly and inwardly towards each other, the upper ends ofsaid other branches being beveled to have substantially point contactwith the opposite sides of a cake of soap passed between them, and meansconnecting the members for simultaneous' pivotal movement.

4. A device of the character described including a body having asubstantially vertical outer face, two members pivotally carried by thebody to project from its outer face with their pivotal axessubstantially normal to said face, and pointed rod-like gripping fingerson the outer ends of the members in spaced relation to the outer-face tothe body substantially converging upwardly and inwardly toward oneanother to have point gripping engagement with a cake'of soap introducedbetween them.

5. A device of the character described including a body adapted to bemounted on a support, two soap gripping elements, means pivotallysupporting the elements on the body to have spaced parallelsubstantially horizontal axes of pivotal movement and to projectforwardly beyond the body, and slender upwardly convergent arms on theforward ends of the elements having upper ends shaped to have limitedsupporting contact with the opposite sides of a. cake of soap in a planespaced from the outer face of the body.

6. A device of the character described comprising a body having arecessed rear side adapted to be arranged against a support, the A bodyhaving two spaced substantially horizontal openings, gripping elementspivotally supported in the openings to project from the forward side ofthe body, the gripping elements having upwardly converging branches ontheir forward ends, and means at the recessed rear side of the bodyexerting a yielding pivoting force on the elements to urge theirbranches toward one another to grip an object introduced between thebranches.

'1. A device of the character described comprising a body having arecessed rear side adapted to be arranged against a support, twoelements, means supporting the elements on the body for pivotal movementabout spaced substantially horizontal axes and to project from the frontside of the body, the elements including branches on their forward endsconverging upwardly toward one another, said branches having beveledupper ends adapted to have substantially point contact with an objectintroduced.

between them, and means at the rear side of the body exerting a yieldingturning force on the elements to urge their branches into holdingengagement with the object.

8. A device of the character described comprising, a body adapted to beattached to a support, two elements, each including an inner branch anda slender outer branch angularly related to the inner branch, and meanspivotally supporting the inner branches of the elements on the body toproject from the front thereof and to pivot about substantiallyhorizontal axes so that the outer branches of the elements convergeupwardly to have their upper ends engage and support an objectintroduced between them,

said upper ends engaging the object in a plane spaced a. substantialdistance from the front of

